Although shame and guilt may seem similar, shame is highly correlated with addiction, depression, and aggression. In contrast, guilt is linked to empathy and understanding other perspectives.

What's the difference? In her TED talk, Brené Brown said:

Shame is a focus on self, guilt is a focus on behavior. Shame is, "I am bad." Guilt is, "I did something bad." How many of you, if you did something that was hurtful to me, would be willing to say, "I'm sorry. I made a mistake?" How many of you would be willing to say that? Guilt: I'm sorry. I made a mistake. Shame: I'm sorry. I am a mistake.

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But it's not just a petty matter of semantics. Brown goes on to explain:

Here's what you even need to know more: Guilt is inversely correlated with those things. The ability to hold something we've done, or failed to do, up against who we want to be is incredibly adaptive. It's uncomfortable, but it's adaptive.

The solution isn't to get rid of shame. Shame is natural, and comes with our human relationships. However, we've been taught, "Never let them see you sweat." Brown says the solution is to do the opposite: Be vulnerable.

And what about Brown's claim that guilt is inversely correlated with anger? This paper published in the Journal of Personality suggests that guilt has been linked to prosocial, relationship-enhancing effects. One study found that shame was linked to personal distress, whereas guilt was linked to perspective taking.